A GLOBAL culture of fearing those who are different needs to be countered by embracing difference, the annual assembly of the Australian Conference of Leaders of Religious Institutes (ACLRI) was told.
‘Embracing difference in a global culture of fear’ was a major theme for the annual assembly which was held in Brisbane from June 16-20.
About 120 leaders representing 8800 religious priests, brothers and sisters, gathered for the conference, which featured a panel of speakers sharing their experiences of difference.
A statement from the ACLRI said the stories of the panelists ‘highlighted the urgency of finding new forms of engagement with those who are different from us in terms of culture, religion, race and gender’.
The statement said the leaders were challenged to recognise the stranger within, the diversity among their own groups, and the rich diversity in the Church and in wider society.
They explored how they could embrace difference as something mysteriously desired and ordained by God.
They committed themselves to continue to collaborate in creating an inclusive society and Church which embraces difference.
New ACLRI president, Brigidine Sister Rosemarie Joyce of Victoria, said: ‘My hope is that the leaders of religious institutes will leave this conference committed to finding creative ways to continue to dialogue openly and respectfully with all those who embody ‘the different’ and ‘the other’ as expressions of the communion and the otherness that exist in God.’
